Odawara Castle’s first “Winter Cherry Blossom Illumination” event to offer a fantastical show combining lights and music

16.December.2017 | SPOT

Odawara Castle’s first ever Fuyu Sakura Illumination ~Hikari to Oto ga Orinasu Fantasy Show~ began on December 9th.

 

This illumination event takes various flowers symbolic of Odawara Castle during wintertime such as cherry blossoms, wisteria, Japanese iris and hydrangea, and turns them into a fantastic show of lights and music. The beautiful illuminations that will light up the architecture will not be static – they will be big and diffuse and paint gorgeous illuminative pictures. What will be more impressive though is what’s called the “Odoru Hikari to Tobu Sound” which promises to be unlike anything ever seen at a regular illumination show.

 

There are three songs in the program to enjoy which combine lights and music.

 

1: Fuyu no Sakura (“Winter Cherry Blossoms”)

main

Once winter passes and spring opens the cherry blossoms at Odawara Castle blossom in full glory. “Fuyu no Sakura” captures the sublime nature and vitality of those very same cherry blossoms.

 

 

2: Hana ODAWARA (“Flower Odawara”)

sub6

Beautiful flowers bloom at Odawara Castle with each passing season. “Hana ODAWARA” encapsulates the visible scenes of spring, summer, winter and autumn. The show expresses people’s inner warmth through the flowers of four seasons.

 

3: Jupiter

sub7

“Jupiter” from Gustav Holst’s orchestral suite “The Planets”

 

Odawara Castle’s winter cherry blossom illumination event will also feature an interactive performance. Two people will join hands and touch a sensor at the same time to activate a mini performance of lights and sound around them. There are 5 different performances each around 15 seconds long. You won’t know which performance is coming next!

 

Take part in a never-before-seen illumination extravaganza at Odawara Castle!

 

■Information

Odawara Castle Fuyu Sakura Illumination ~Hikari to Oto ga Orinasu Fantasy Show~

Running: December 9, 2017 – March 4, 2018

Time: 17:00-21:00

Location: Odawara Castle tower and inner grounds

Telephone:  0465-22-3818

Website: www.odawara-kankou.com/event/fuyusakura.html

*The tower will be closed on December 13th and December 31st but the illuminations will still be running.

*During the event the tower’s closing time will be extended to 19:00 (General – ¥500 / Elementary & Middle School Students – ¥200) (last entry 18:30)

*Viewing the illuminations at the inner grounds is free of charge

*The tower will be open on January 1, 2018 (New Year’s Day)

Attendees visiting on New Year’s Day will receive a special Odawara Castle pencil.

 

RELATED ENTRIES

  • Izu Kogen Grand Illumination to Offer New Experiences for 8th Season

    14.October.2022 | SPOT

    From November 11, 2022 until August 2023, Izu Granpal Park in Shizuoka Prefecture will host the 8th Izu Kogen Grand Illumination event!

     

    The Izu Kogen Grand Illumination was ranked #1 in the Walker+National Illumination Ranking for six consecutive years and is beloved by visitors of all ages. This isn’t just a collection of pretty lights–the Grand Illumination also includes a number of hands-on experiences for everyone to enjoy.

     

    In 2021, the event won first place in the Ninth Illumination Awards for the second year in a row. Known as Japan’s first ‘hands-on illumination experience,’ the park has continued to evolve year after year, adding more attractions and finding its unique style. These attractions include a zip line through the lights, Dinosaur Go-Karts, and more.

    This year, the Flower Lantern Area and Sweets Lantern Area have been completely redesigned and upgraded to be even more three-dimensional and colorful. Come enjoy this incredible world of lights and have some fun with the whole family!

  • Midtown Christmas 2022 to Bring Gorgeous Lights and Sounds to Tokyo

    07.October.2022 | SPOT

    From November 17 until December 25, Tokyo Midtown will hold the popular Midtown Christmas event for 2022!

     

    Adults and children are sure to love this massive Christmas event. Each year, a massive Christmas tree appears in Tokyo Midtown, but this year’s festivities will also throw some more unique pieces of art into the mix.

     

    This year, visitors will see golden lights on the city’s trees, as well as a pop-up Christmas tree inspired by party poppers. Lights and music will join together to make guests feel as though they’ve walked into an outdoor theater, and the popular ice skating rink will once again be open for everyone to enjoy. Why not enjoy the Christmas season in Tokyo’s shimmering midtown?

     

    Bubbles Fill the Air for a Limited Time at the Christmas Story Lights

     

    A Massive Dome Filled with 300 Lights Invites Visitors to Celebrate the Season

     

    Hands-on Experiences at the Party Popper Tree

  • Keyakizaka Lights, a Tokyo Winter Tradition, to be Held Again in 2022

    02.October.2022 | SPOT

    From November 11 until December 25, 2022, Roppongi Hills Christmas will cover Tokyo in glittering lights once again. The Keyakizaka Lights, one of Tokyo’s most popular winter attractions, will also take place in 2022, with the 400-meter-long Keyakizaka street covered in over 800,000 blue and white LED lights.

     

    For the first time in three years, the Mohri Garden will be covered in lights as well. The annual Christmas market will invite guests to experience an authentic German Christmas, and Christmas cakes and gourmet food unique to Roppongi Hills will be for sale. 

     

    The Roppongi Hills Christmas event utilizes LED lights and has done so since the first event was held in 2003. Clean power will be used again this year, and the lights will be switched on from 5 PM until 11 PM each night. 

  • NAKED Night Walk Art Project to Open at Famed Zuiganji Temple in Matsushima

    28.September.2022 | FASHION / SPOT

    Japanese creative company NAKED will hold a Night Walk event at Zuiganji Temple in Matsushima, located near one of the top three most scenic spots in Japan. The event will run from October 29 until November 23, 2022.

     

    The NAKED Night Walk was created to revitalize hot spring resorts and other tourist spots during the pandemic. This special event will bring the illuminated experience to Zuiganji Temple, one of the Tohoku Region’s most famous Zen temples. Guests will be invited to carry beautiful lanterns around the grounds, maintaining social distancing while enjoying the cool evening weather. These lanterns will cast one of three unique designs onto the ground below–a starry sky, a camellia flower, or a lotus. 

    Guests can also enjoy NAKED’s Flower Fortune Telling, pulling unique paper flowers from a massive wall, with each holding a personalized fortune. These flowers can then be tied to a nearby tree to further spread NAKED’s art. You can also take home your flower as a souvenir!

    The event will only run for a limited time. For more information including admission fees and hours, see the official website!

  • Kansai’s Largest Illumination Event to Start Third Phase on October 8

    10.September.2022 | SPOT

    The third phase of the popular illumination event at the English Garden Rosa & Berry Tawada will be held from October 8, 2022 until February 12, 2023! One of the largest light-up events in the Kansai region, this year’s theme is ‘Evolutionary Lights!’ 

     

    Let Time Pass in The Golden Forest

    Visitors will be welcomed into a glorious forest of golden lights as they arrive in the main area. 

    The clock tower rises in the center, and the spectacular production begins at the start of nightfall when the tower itself begins to glow and 100 trees are enveloped in golden light.


     

    The White and Silver Garden of the Fairies

    The area has undergone a major transformation, from the warm European-inspired colors of last year’s event to a mysterious silvery-white color scheme. Visitors can also enjoy the popular light-up experience Miraculous Blue Roses and the Seven-Colored Prayer Tree.

    ※Details: Lights and effects are triggered in response to the sound of bells rung by visitors and special pedals stepped on as they explore the event.

     

    Shaun the Sheep Area

    A special Christmas display inspired by the new Shaun the Sheep movie, releasing in December 2022, will be on display.

    *Images of the special display will be available in mid-September.

    SHAUN THE SHEEP AND SHAUN’S IMAGE ARE ™ AARDMAN ANIMATIONS LTD. 2022

     

    Galactic Express Milky Way

    The Milky Way is said to be a magnificent shade of blue. The Milky Way Galaxy Railroad, which requires a separate fee, runs through the area, inviting guests to explore a sea of stars. Why not take a trip through this glittering world of lights while taking some incredible photos?

     

    Why not visit this incredible sea of lights this winter?

  • Sumikko Gurashi Characters Appear at Lake Sagami Pleasure Forest

    09.September.2022 | ANIME&GAME / SPOT

    From November 12, 2022, until April 2, 2023, visitors to Lake Sagami Pleasure Forest in Kanagawa Prefecture will be able to enjoy an incredible light-up event featuring Sumikko Gurashi characters! The outdoor resort is only an hour from Tokyo and won’t disappoint.


    A World First! Illuminated Sumikko Gurashi Area

    Visitors can enjoy riding the 250-meter-long Rainbow Lift for an aerial walk above the millions of lights. The adorable Sumikko Gurashi characters will be waiting for guests in a special themed area.

     

    Goods Featuring Original Illustrations Available–with a Collab Menu!

    The event will also offer goods decorated with newly-drawn art inspired by the Lake Sagami lights, with Sumikko and her friends enjoying the show. Along with merchandise, guests will also be invited to sample collaboration food and drinks at the park’s restaurant Wild Dining. Each dish will also come with a bonus!

     

    Come enjoy these incredible lights along with everyone’s favorite Sumikko characters! With 6 million lights on display, this is one of the largest in the Kanto area. More details will be coming soon, so keep an eye out!

  • Light and Shadow 2022 Event at Hotel Gajoen Tokyo Attracts Over 10,000 Visitors

    04.August.2022 | FASHION / SPOT

    Hotel Gajoen Tokyo, which blends a hotel and a traditional Japanese museum, is celebrating summer in the spookiest way possible. From July 2 until September 25, guests can enjoy the ‘Wa no Akari x Hyakudan Kaidan 2022 ~Light and Shadow: 100 Stories~’ event, inspired by the tradition of telling ghost stories in summer to send a chill down your spine. Since opening, over 10,000 visitors have come to experience this once-in-a-lifetime event. 

     

    Each of the seven exhibition areas is connected to the stairway, and each has its own theme pulled from the overarching theme of light and darkness. From Light of Passion to Midnight Light, guests will be surrounded on all sides. As you ascend the stairs, a festive atmosphere transforms into a more frightening one. Although the ghosts are out to play, guests are welcome to enjoy the many art pieces and crafts on display. 

     

    Sokyu Room / Lights of Passion

    This Kabuki stage is filled with the passion of women who are addicted to love, a common theme in many traditional plays. The eye-catching Japanese umbrellas and lanterns will no doubt leave an impression, and the wistful music is titled Red Thread. The tale depicted here tells the story of a woman who becomes a haunting specter clad in flames of passion, sobbing and laughing in time with the song. 

     

    Still Water Room / Inverted Light

    The three trees crowned with horse heads were created by the artist Eros Nakazato. Guests will feel as though they’ve been transported to the middle of a meadow as they explore this fantastical room covered in traditional paintings. In the work The Reverse of the Reverse, there are no wild horses on the earth, and those who have been tamed by humans sway in a beautiful and sad way. To make this scarier, the story has been reimagined as guests look through a crystal ball–now, humans are ruled by horses

     

    Starlight Room / Midnight Light

    Passing through a corridor of suspiciously flickering yokai lanterns, you will find that the clock has struck midnight. In the darkness, as most humans are asleep, specters are having a lively party. Playful cats dance and play and a number of artistic works by contemporary artists are on display. The music played fuses Japanese and ethnic instruments, some of which are interspersed with the voices of creatures of the night.

     

    Experience this immersive art experience that will delight all five senses through light and shadows while you can!

  • Hotel Gajoen Tokyo Opens Artistic Summer Ghost Story Event

    09.July.2022 | SPOT

    Hotel Gajoen Tokyo, which blends a hotel and a traditional Japanese museum, is celebrating summer in the spookiest way possible. From July 2 until September 25, guests can enjoy the ‘Wa no Akari x Hyakudan Kaidan 2022 ~Light and Shadow: 100 Stories~’ event, inspired by the tradition of telling ghost stories in summer to send a chill down your spine. The art illumination exhibition promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

    Jounen no Akari (Lights of Passion)

    Bamboo Lights

     

    Without light, there are no shadows. In this exhibition, light and shadow complement one another, portraying the popular 100 ghost stories in a new way. Last year’s event received critical acclaim as guests found themselves moving breathlessly from room to room, exploring the many incredible pieces put on display. Along the dusk-lit promenade, goldfish lanterns lead guests to the start of their mysterious adventure. The atmosphere changes from room to room, with bamboo lights and shadows surrounding you from all sides. 

     

    An Immersive Light Art Space

    Odawara Wind Chimes at Dusk

    Luxurious Cherry Blossom Hairpins

    Glass Lamp, Iroshita Studio

    Flower Arrangement, Rikou Otsuka

     

    As you ascend the stairs, a festive atmosphere transforms into a more frightening one. Although the ghosts are out to play, guests are welcome to enjoy the many art pieces and crafts on display, from flower arrangements by master ikebana artist Rikou Otsuka and sculptures by some of Japan’s most influential traditional creators. 

     

    Enjoy Traditional Summer Ghost Stories with Light Art

    Ghost Lanterns

    Born from the Earth, Yasumaro Ozawa

    Byakko, Yuji Nishijima

    Inverted Light, Eros Nakazato

     

    Mysterious music will drift through the air, making guests feel as though they’ve been transported into another world. The eerie space is lit by Ghost Lanterns made by a 200-year-old company in Fukuoka, and the venue is decorated with art blending ukiyo-e with contemporary styles. 

     

    Culture and Crafts from Around Japan

    Paper Lanterns from Ise

    Bamboo Lights, Akarinowa

    3D Knit Lights

    Paper Fireworks

     

    Summer fireworks have been recreated in colorful paper form by an artist in Nagaoka, Niigata Prefecture, and materials found in a neglected bamboo grove in Shizuoka Prefecture were used to create the many iconic lights seen throughout the unique exhibition. Local craftsmen are at the heart of the event, with pieces brought in from areas all around Japan.

     

    Wa no Akari Room

    A concept room featuring gently flickering lights and lanterns is available to book for a limited time. Why not come spend your summer in this otherworldly atmosphere?

  • Nissy (Takahiro Nishijima) Announces New Song, Tokyo Tower Collaboration

    30.June.2022 | MUSIC / SPOT

    Nissy (Takahiro Nishijima) has announced that his new song, I Need You, will be released digitally on July 7, 2022. The jacket cover has also been revealed.

    This love song depicts how it feels to warmly live each day with the person you care about. It’s a relaxed mid-tempo number, a far cry from the cool sound heard on Nissy’s third album HOCUS POCUS 3.

     

     

    In addition, Nissy will also be collaborating with Tokyo Tower’s popular summer event, the Milky Way Illumination. Approximately 21,000 LED bulbs found on the first floor of the main deck, a stunning 150 meters above Tokyo, will change color periodically to match the beat of the new song I Need You.

    Along with the new track, Nissy will also be embarking on a five-dome tour, so keep an eye on his activities going forward!

     

    ⓒTOKYO TOWER

  • NAKED’s Popular Night Walk Returns to Illuminate Jozankei Onsen in Hokkaido

    30.May.2022 | SPOT

    The JOZANKEI NATURE LUMINARIE -WATER LIGHT VALLEY- event is coming back in 2022! The event, which shows off the natural beauty of Jozankei’s rivers, valleys, and forests, from June to October. Guests can enjoy an illuminated walk along the Toyohira River in the Jozankei area of Hokkaido and wander across the picturesque Futami Suspension Bridge. 

     

    This year, the park area at the entrance to the event has been redesigned with new lights. A 2.5-meter-high blue dome will welcome guests with an image of water, and the trees and wisteria trellises will be decorated with twinkling golden lights.

     

    Welcome Light Lake *Image from 2021

     

    River Road

     

    Forest Water Ripple

     

    Nature Projection

     

    Futami Valley

    Visitors will encounter a variety of unique light art as they stroll through the rich nature of Jozankei guided by the elusive kappa, known to be the guardian Gods of the region. As visitors approach, the river begins to glow while flowers bloom in this interactive art experience. By using projection mapping across the Futami Suspension Bridge and an all-encompassing light show within the canyon, the event hopes to remind visitors that nature is important and worth preserving. 

     

    How would you like to spend your summer deep in the illuminated nature of Hokkaido?

  • UNDER WATER SPACE in Yokohama Illuminated in Cherry Blossom Colors for Spring

    04.April.2022 | SPOT

    UNDER WATER SPACE, a limited-time aquarium space event located at Yokohama World Porters, is lighting up a portion of the event space in gorgeous cherry blossom colors until April 10, 2022 to coincide with the 2022 cherry blossom season!

     

     

     

    The pink-lit space and swimming fish give an entirely new feel to the UNDER WATER SPACE event. You won’t want to miss experiencing this magical spring illumination! 

     

  • Lake Biwa Canal’s Cherry Blossoms to Come to Life During Spring Illumination 2022 Event

    28.March.2022 | SPOT

    Lake Biwa Canal, one of the best places to see cherry blossoms in Shiga, will be completely illuminated each night from March 25 until April 10! The nearby Onjo-ji Temple will also be lit up during the duration of the event.

     

    Lake Biwa, Otsu Spring Illumination – Cherry Blossoms on the Lake Biwa Canal

    The Lake Biwa Canal carries water from the biggest lake in Japan to Kyoto and was built during the Meiji era using the best civil engineering technology of the time. Both sides of the bank are lined with almost 200 cherry trees, making it one of the most beautiful cherry blossom viewing spots with a spectacular view leading to Onjo-ji Temple.

     

    Onjo-ji Spring Illumination 2022

    Over 600 lights will be set up around the temple grounds to illuminate the cherry blossoms. The national treasures and designated cultural properties will be completely open to the public for nighttime viewing.

RANKING

  • DAILY
  • MONTHLY

FOLLOW US